As part of the security strategies to tackle rising insecurity in Nigeria, sixteen state governors have expressed their support for the establishment of state police through a report submitted to the National Economic Council (NEC).
The governors also made recommendations regarding changes to the constitution to allow room for the creation of state police to curb continuous rising incidences of insecurity in the country.
The 140th NEC meeting was presided over by the country’s Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, March 21.
According to a statement signed by Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, 20 states are yet to turn in their reports to NEC.
The statement partly read:
“Secretary to NEC (Mr Nebeolisa Anako) made a presentation on submissions by states on the state policing initiative. Reports have been received by 16 states on the establishment of State police.
“20 states have yet to send in report. All states across the country expressed their support for the establishment of state police for the following reasons.
“States made presentations in support of the creation of state police. States recommended changes in the constitution and the current policing structure to enable the operationalisation of the initiative.”
The Federal and state governments moved to address insecurity in Nigeria through the creation of state police. The decision was communicated on February 16, 2024.
A bill, titled “A bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for the establishment of State Police and related matters,” proposing the creation of state police was successfully passed for second reading at the House of Representatives on February 20, 2024.